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Human face of NHS crisis

“There is no quality anymore. I used to do a lot of gardening but now I have to pay some to do that for me. I’ve been in severe and worsening pain for several months. It’s disgusting that my operation can go from being “urgent” to non urgent.

"I can’t do anything for myself. My wife, Jenny has to dress and help shower me. I can’t go anywhere without someone helping. I just want this operation to happen so I don’t have to be a burden.”

Jenny, herself a pensioner at 69 years says she is mentally and physically exhausted.

Mr Furlong said: “Hip replacement is major surgery and shouldn’t be undertaken unless the patient is otherwise well enough to withstand the procedure, which is why we have to ensure all the necessary checks have taken place before it is scheduled.

“We absolutely recognise that cancelling surgery at any time is upsetting for our patients and their relatives, we hate to do it and we’re incredibly sorry that we’ve had to cancel Mr Roberts operation on this occasion.

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"At this time of year, when the demand on hospitals is at its highest, our duty is to make daily decisions on whether we allocate surgery to an urgent planned case or prioritise clinical life-threatening emergencies.

"In Mr Robert’s case, as with other patients who have had their elective procedures cancelled, we made the decision to protect emergency work.

“We will be in contact with Mr Roberts to rebook his surgery as soon as possible and we sincerely apologise for the distress this has caused to him and his family.”

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